The Conceptual Validity of the Wilderness Concept and Implications for Its Application as a Protected Area Category in the 21st Century

Stronger wilderness advocacy is motivated by the inclusion of wilderness as a protected area category in combination with the identified need for expanded protected areas. The reemergence of the term wilderness in 19th Century industrialized cultures is reviewed, and its subsequent evolution which, following criticism, emphasizes more inclusive determination, designation and management is described. Analysis of criticisms of wilderness reveals that many still target early United States of America definitions rather than subsequent ones opposing indigenous rights violations and elitism. Once archaic criticisms are decoupled from the term, then wilderness conservation may contribute to biodiversity, ecosystem recovery and humanity.